Michigan Women’s Foundation to Select Winners of 2015 West Michigan Entrepreneur-YOU Business Plan and Pitch Competition at Oct. 16 Live Event

GRAND RAPIDS, MI: Michigan Women’s Foundation (MWF), a non-profit organization that for nearly 30 years has been working to achieve social and economic equality for Michigan’s women and girls, has unveiled the finalists of its first West Michigan Entrepreneur-YOU Business Plan and Pitch competition, presented in partnership with Grand Valley State University, and sponsored by Consumers Energy Foundation.

Dozens of West Michigan female entrepreneurs submitted their business plans, from which 10 finalists have been chosen to present to a panel of judges and compete for cash prizes of $35,000, as well as complimentary support services and technical assistance for their growing businesses.

The live West Michigan Business Plan and Pitch Competition will be held on Friday, Oct. 16, 2015, from 8 a.m. to Noon, at Grand Valley State University’s L. William Seidman Center in Grand Rapids. The event is free and open to the public.

“The Entrepreneur-YOU Business Plan and Pitch Competition exemplifies the mission of the Michigan Women’s Foundation, to ensure a promising future for our state’s women and girls,” said Carolyn Cassin, president and CEO of MWF. “I think attendees at the pitch competition will be very impressed by the passion and ingenuity of the selected finalists. The West Michigan business community has a bright future ahead with these women taking the lead.”

The 10 finalists for the West Michigan 2015 Entrepreneur-YOU Business Plan and Pitch Competition are:

• Liz Bartlett of KNITit – Supplying customized 3D knit products and spreading knowledge of weft knit technology.
• Julie Fox of Free Love Bakery – High-quality, gluten-free and allergen friendly food.
• Nikki Thompson Frazier of Sweet Encounter – Start-up bakery providing gluten-free and vegan desserts looking to open a retail location and at least one cupcake and dessert dispenser.
• Ellie Frey of Successful Generations – High-quality, age-appropriate curriculum and activities around spending, saving, giving and investing.
• Elise Hibbard Kutt of Mod-Bettie: A Portrait Boutique – Offers a contemporary glamour, boudoir and retro styled photography experience complete with hair and makeup.
• Valerie Obenchain of Advanced Interactive Response Systems – High-quality safety products that remotely monitor oxygen supply.
• Samantha Pina of Revolve Replication – Specialized computer aided design 3D scanner and software for independent jewelers allowing replication of pre-existing jewelry.
• Sarah Rickerd of Carry Your Heart Jewelry and Gifts – Will design a retail line of distinctive, meaningful jewelry and gifts for bereaved parents and their support communities.
• Evelyn Ritter of UMP Analytical – Chemical testing company that connects the expertise within academia to the needs of the industry.
• Briauna Taylor of Fluition – Medical rehabilitation device design and supply company that has redesigned the sit-to-stand device.

The West Michigan Entrepreneur-YOU Business Plan and Pitch Competition will be judged by a select panel of local business leaders from across a variety of industries, including: Catherine Creamer of eMerge; Jeanne Englehart of ETC Consulting; Cynthia Kay of Cynthia Kay and Co.; Bill Walker of Legacy Trust and Beverly Wall of Languages International.

The MWF Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative is supported by Consumers Energy Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, the Ford Motor Company Fund, Bank of America and the DTE Energy Foundation.

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